Due to the growth of the Bristol Health Medical Group, our Rheumatology & Endocrinology departments will be located on the main campus at Bristol Hospital as of Monday, September 11th. For additional information, please call us at 833.4BHDOCS. Thank you for your understanding.

Vestibular Therapy

Dizziness impacting your life? If so, you’re not alone. More than 69 million people have experienced vestibular dysfunction at some point in their lives. Vestibular therapy - an exercise-based program, designed by a specialty trained vestibular physical therapist, to improve balance and reduce problems related to dizziness - can aid in controlling symptoms, reducing falls and improving your overall quality of life. Vestibular issues are often caused by a disorder of the inner ear, neck dysfunction or another condition. 

Special evaluation techniques are used to determine your specific need.


Common Symptoms of Vestibular Disorders

Most adults living with a vestibular disorder go undiagnosed and never receive treatment. As a result, their quality of life, their ability to perform both routine and unique has been diminished. Patients suffering from vestibular disorders often experience:

  • ● Dizziness or blurry vision with head movements
  • ● Neck tightness, stiffness and/or pain
  • ● Imbalance or the need to hold onto objects when walking
  • ● Headaches
  • ● Frequent falls
  • ● Generalized “dizziness, wooziness and foggy head” feelings
  • ● Vertigo/spinning


Treatment Exercises

Examples of exercises you may learn during therapy sessions include:

  • ● Vision stability training
  • ● Posture training
  • ● Stretching and strengthening exercises
  • ● Balance retraining
  • ● Walking exercises
  • ● Neck mobility/stretching exercises
  • ● General fitness exercises
  • ● Ergonomic training (This advice is given so that workplace furnishings can be adjusted to improve a person’s posture and decrease any discomforts.)

Recovery/Outcomes

Expected vestibular rehabilitation outcomes include:

  • ● Decreased risk of falling
  • ● A decrease in dizziness symptoms
  • ● Improved balance
  • ● Improved ability to stabilize vision/gaze
  • ● Increased body strength
  • ● Return to prior level of movement/function
  • ● Increase in confidence in ability to maintain balance
  • ● Improved neck motion, reduced symptoms

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